Page 71 of The Kingdom of Ruin

Brody ignores me, heading back toward the door with Kryll behind him, leaving me to blink after them.

Fuck.

Addi Reed has wormed her way under everyone’s skin. It’s annoying and intoxicating all at once. But one thing is certain; if she’s going to fall from the pedestal she put herself on, it will be at my doing. Not theirs.

THIRTY-THREE

CASSIAN

Islice my knife effortlessly through the steak on my plate while keeping my head down, avoiding any onlookers hoping to start a conversation. This is all Brody’s fault. The mention of one of Jake’s steaks has me crawling back. Thankfully, Janie hasn’t uttered a word, she just ushered me to the most discreet booth possible with a knowing smirk on her lips that tells me I haven’t seen the end of her tonight.

A few betas have spotted me from their table by the window. I can feel their eyes on me as they whisper among themselves like I can’t fucking hear them, but I choose to let it go over my head. I’m avoiding any kind of drama tonight. Which is exactly why I called ahead to check if Leticia was working or not. She isn’t, but I can’t stay longer than necessary because fuck knows someone will tell her, and I really can’t handle her right now.

I love being a wolf. My origin makes up a huge part of who I am, but fuck me, some of the shit it comes with drives me insane. Duels, for one. Needy women for another. The idea of finding a true mate that fills my thoughts instead of someone who takes, demands, and offers nothing to the partnership, feels impossible. I’m not holding out hope anyway.

Slipping another piece of steak in my mouth, I swallow it down as someone slides over the leather seat across from me. She gave me longer than expected, at least.

“It’s good to see you, Cass, but not when you’re like this.”

I look up at Janie, her concerned smile in place as she tucks a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. She’s the closest thing to a sister that I’ve got. Her enjoyment at bossing me around stems back as far as I can remember, and I can’t deny that it feels weird…this new barrier between us. Since I walked out on the Kenner pack, I didn’t just turn my back on my father; I turned my back on everyone. Friends and loved ones included.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I grunt, making her scoff.

“Of course you don’t. You don’t show your face forever, no matter how many times I plead with you, then, when you do show that ruggedly handsome face of yours, it’s to protect some fae girl. A fae girl who wins a fucking duel against Leticia, to be precise, and now you’re back again looking all…you.”

Her assessment seems accurate and my shoulders sag with relief when I realize that she’s not snapping the words in anger like I half expected. She’s just as concerned as she always is, but she’s not mad at me. Never mad at me.

“Life is full of surprises at the moment,” I admit, earning a snicker this time as she places her hand over mine. I look down at her touch as she squeezes in comfort before retreating so I can carry on eating. Not that I do. My focus is on her.

“When isn’t life just a spoonful of madness? You’re a Kenner, pack or not. It has a habit of following you around.” She leans back in her seat, folding her arms over her chest as her eyes settle on mine. “Besides, you’re attending an academy to find the new heir to reign over the future of our kingdom. You’re asking for drama right there.”

“Maybe,” I grumble with a shrug.

“There’s no maybe about it. But you’re not alone, Cass. I know you have Kryll, Brody, and Raiden, but I’m here for you as well. Jake, too. You know that.”

She’s right. I do. But she shouldn’t have to deal with the burdens I bring because I wanted out; I wanted a chance for a better future. My vision of a new kingdom doesn’t have to be hers as well.

Smiling at her, I place my cutlery on my plate. “I know that, Janie. We promised, didn’t we?” I cock a brow at her, making her smile soften as she takes a trip down memory lane with me.

“We always do.”

She curls her little finger, inching it toward me, making me glare at her for a split second before I copy the motion and lock in the pinky swear with her. I’m certain she had me doing this when I was just a newborn baby and she was the bossy six year old that always told me what to do.

My cell phone vibrates on the table beside my arm, breaking our stare-off as I glance down at the offending interruption. Brody’s name flashes across the lock screen with an incoming text. I consider ignoring it, but something in my gut has me reaching for it anyway.

Brody: We need you.

Fuck.

Cassian: Where?

“I have to go.” My finger slips from hers as I rise from my seat, tucking my cell phone into my pocket.

“Don’t be a stranger,” she warns with a familiar challenge in her eyes as she opens her arms, wrapping me in her warm embrace a moment later.

“I won’t.” Another promise. I’m always too damn soft with her.

“Good, and bring that girl of yours back around,” she adds as I step out of her hold, frowning down at her as she moves in time with me toward the door.

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